Chapter 1
Eleanor Hayes closed her eyes wishing herself somewhere else. She had had her dark waves pulled in every direction, her breath pushed out of her by a corset and now she was being buttoned into an extravagant evening gown of deep blue and white lace. It was a beautiful dress that Eleanor knew suited her dark blue eyes, but it was just not her, she wanted dresses that were easy to move in, to have fun in, this alas would never be one of those dresses. Why did Sophia insist on having a dinner party to announce her engagement? Why did everyone expect her to be there so they could congratulate her on her sisters account? Why was everything in her world so completely over complicated? If it was down to her, she would just tell Miss Lucy Downs then in would be around the whole town in a matter of minutes! Eleanor had never liked gossip but right now it was the only thing it seemed that could prevent an evening of boring conversation and maybe the odd dance with someone her mother thought she should marry. The only comfort was that maybe, just maybe he would be there.
"There you go miss, your all ready for the party, you look lovely" The voice broke Eleanor away from her string of annoyed thoughts.
"Thank you Maggie," Eleanor smiled at her maid "you've done a lovely job"
With a swish on her skirt Eleanor swept away from the mirror in her room and down the stairs to find her older sister at the bottom.
Sophia Hayes was a tall elegant woman, her green eyes sparkling with excitement and anticipation, her blonde hair now pinned into elaborate curls around her small heart shaped face. A beautiful deep pink down gown complimented her slim figure and a small amount of rouge highlighted her tiny mouth. Sophia, usually considered the prettier of the two Hayes sisters, was nineteen, three years older than Eleanor. Tonight she was announcing her engagement to Mr. Richard Hutchinson, the son of one of the towns richest men, who Eleanor thought was too spoiled and rich for his own good.
"Are you ready yet Elle," asked Sophia, "I can't be late for my own party"
"Yes I'm coming now" Elle replied, a hint of annoyance still lingering in her voice.
The two sisters walked out the door down towards the carriage. Their elegant walk so very alike, their pace the same. They seemed to an outsider as alike as twins but to those who were more in their acquaintance, it would be known that the elegant way the Hayes sisters carried themselves, was the only way that they were alike.
"Are you excited?" asked Elle, choosing her words carefully, trying to seem more interested for her sisters sake.
"Yes" Sophia replied "I am so happy, this is just so amazing, and I love him so much, Elle. All I hope for you know is that you meet someone as wonderful as Richard."
"I hope so too" said Elle quietly, thinking of Edward.
Tall, handsome Edward, with his crooked nose and even more crooked smile, hoping, hoping he was on speaking terms with Richard, not in the middle of those incidents where Mr. Hutchinson became greatly offended, so that she could see him tonight.
It was in a daydream that Elle was helped into the carriage. Still her mind fixed on him. Settling into the seat opposite Sophia, Elle stretched out and looked out the window. The older girl was looking at the third finger on her left hand, probably imagining the ring that would be sitting on it by the end of tonight. The younger closed her eyes and sat in silence for the rest of the journey, anticipating the night ahead.